Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Still strapped to the treant, the princess mouths over one more word to Seranolla: "Pain"
She then tries to establish a link with Zern:
-> Zern's WIS saving throw {DC 14}: 29
The paladin's mind is an impenetrable fortress.
(@Drache: Please go ahead and roll an insight check.)
(Zern is up next.)
Zern insight: 26
Zern felt a little tickle in his mind and looks at the fey princess quizzically for a moment.
Returning to the task at hand, recalling how the water Seranolla made the vines shrivel, moves near from where some a vine is growing and casts purify food and drink on the water to see how it affects the vine at its source.
Extended Signature
Zern moves closer to the vines {BQ-43} and attempts to purify those that remain. His cleansing light forces the purple thorns to recede and turn back into a more lively green color. The vines lose some girth and their oozing cracks close. They loosen their grip on the treant and dive back into the water, which in turn is now turning clear and crisp. The progressively smaller pool of water gradually turns back to a more amenable color and smell.
The treant is completely free now and begins to calm down, though not completely. A few strands of vine were outside of the spell's range, still keeping the suffering princess attached to the tree. At this moment, Zern comes to the understanding that the princess' charming effect is part of her communication strategy. She is very likely a victim in this situation, but the corruption within her is still present and unpredictable.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 3
(Seranolla, and Senetir go next.)
Seeing the Treant calm and realizing more brunt tactics would need to be put on hold, Senitir changed tact once more; leery now of renewed aggression. To that end, sharp eyes are narrowed at the next cluster of corrupted vines yet wrapped about treant and princess, finding the one point a well placed chill ray would at least weaken them. So was within the avian's rapid calculations prior to loosing his magic once more.
But just as he told Doozey last, he would retreat a ways to measure the result of their efforts from a safe distance.
Action: Cast Ray of Frost on Corrupted Vines still holding treant.
Attack: 14 Damage: 8 Cold Damage.
Movement(Flying):To BV-37.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Gripping her fingertips into the rough bark of the treant, Seranolla starts pulling her tiny frame up the trunk of the creature. Putting hand over hand she tries to soothe the treant, prevent it from lashing out.
"Easy brother... We're helping... Can't you feel it?.. The vines... They recede."
Athletics 18
As she climbs higher, she takes her waterskin, hoping to clear the vines still trapping the fey princess.
Seranolla continues to climb the treant with difficulty, though the task is made easier by the fact the creature is no longer thrashing about. She talks to the oak tree as she advances and, for the first time, it responds. It speaks in Druidic, which only Seranolla understands. @MB:
"The corruption... it is too strong... Pardon me, friend of plants."
The druid also manages to splash some more drinking water on the vines strapped to the princess. Once again, they slowly wilt, but the effect is very localized. It is not until Senetir blasts the last few strands with his Ray of Frost that the wilting is completed. (Corruption Vines take 3 cold damage and are DEFEATED.)
The princess falls to the ground with a grunt of pain, staying seated in an awkward position while she catches her breath. The oak treant arches over her protectively, as a safety measure. (The treant is providing her three-quarters cover.) The princes looks straight down for now.
(Dornal and Caah go next.)
Caah has not been made aware of the details of the situation. The battlefield has changed, but the area is not yet secure to the best of her knowledge. Holding her last javelin, she aims at the princess and stands ready for any sudden movements.
She says: "What happened? Are they stopping? Do we trust the tree? Why is it protecting the fey creature? Should we attack the princess?"
(Dornal's turn is still up.)
Dornal's rage begins to subside as he does not take an immediate attack.
Dornal puts his hands up non-threateningly showing his unarmed knowing his hands are more deadly than most weapons.
Dornal looks to Caah and gives a slowly nod and holds his hand out giving the "wait" sign.
Dornal moves to BS,45 and says...
"Princess Ishaldra... Are you OK? We mean you no harm."
Using action to convey truthfulness Persuasion: 21
Dornal put his hands up, signaling that he does not mean to harm the princess. He approaches slowly and shows concern for her well-being. The princess slowly raises her head, looking first at Seranolla and then at Dornal. She looks sad and regretful. She shivers as black tar-like tears slowly run down her face. Now that she is no longer gagged, Princess Ishaldra says a few words in the Elvish language, clearly making an effort to pick a language among those she can speak which the party is more likely to understand. Unfortunately, only Caah, Zern, and Seranolla understand it:
@Drache & @MB:
"I regret deeply what I am about to do. My body is not my own to control... not while this disease corrupts it."
She rises suddenly and brings her hands up menacingly. New corruption vines sprout from the ground and grasp those nearby her, including the treant.
The vines fail to entangle any of the intended targets. An already suspicious Caah launches her last javelin:
-> Javelin vs. Corrupted Princess: Attack: 17 Damage: 11
The weapon stabs the back of the Princess' legs, and she screams in pain (Corrupted Princess takes 8 piercing damage.)
(Zern is up next. Seranolla can make a WIS saving throw.)
At first surprised by the sudden attack by the conjured vines, Zern recalls the princess' words and approaches her with his palms pressed together.
He speaks to her in the language she used to communicate with him:
@Lerus and MB
"You referred to what afflict you as a disease. Then, perhaps, this may be your panacea."
Zern's hands glow with a soft, warm light (Lay on hands, the cure disease/poison use of the feature). He touches the fey princess with it, in hopes of purging what is affecting her.
Lay on hands:
Your blessed touch can heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level × 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands, expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.
(If there are multiple diseases/poisons in her at once, Zern will use as many charges as necessary, in multiples of 5)
Extended Signature
Seranolla wisdom save...15
Zern approaches the princess and uses her own words as information against her corruption. He lays his hands on her forehead and expulses the corruption from her body. Almost immediately, her skin turns a more vibrant tone of green. Boils and weeping sores that had erupted from her flesh now give way to healthy leaves, which sprout from many parts of her otherwise uncovered body.
While this is happening, Seranolla decides that keeping her exclusive line of communication with Princess Ishaldra is no longer necessary, and expels her influence from her mind. (Seranolla is no longer charmed.)
The princess takes more than a few moments to rise. Her movements are more graceful now, and the treant is no longer adopting a protective stance around the lady. She tries to call woodland creatures to her, as a way to comfort herself, but fails. She speaks, again in Elvish, with Seranolla and Zern taking turns in translating the words for Dornal and Senitir to understand. (Caah is busy collecting her javelins): "The dragon's hunger has taken the large fauna, and her corruption has turned the smaller critters into her allies. They no longer come to me. I am sorry about the situation you found us in, but I am glad you did. We are both thankful for your help and regretful of our actions. I shall repay you with some goodberries."
WE ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE.
(OOC: Since this is not the main/CRAP's story, I'll take some liberty here and fast forward a few things. I hope you are fine with this, but let me know if you aren't.)
Over the next several minutes, Seranolla, Dornal, Zern, and Senitir share details of their mission with Princess Ishaldra and her accompanying treant. Still feeling indebted to this party of adventurers, the princess agrees to take them to an audience with Lord Witchhorn. Furthermore, they agree to land a hand with the battle to come, saying that they are ready to protect the forest as well. The treant says "Nothing breaks down a keep’s gates like a treant!” Despite these developments, Caah chooses to keep her distance, not making any effort to hide her distrust for the princess and the treant.
FAST FORWARD TO THE AUDIENCE AT THE SHADY GLADE
Princess Ishaldra accompanies the group back to the magical signposts on the forked path and teaches them how to use it. As soon as they write the words "Shady Glade" on the sign, it spins around the post several times before finally coming to a stop. In the direction it points the gloom gathers, creating a black pathway leading deep into the darkest valley they’ve yet seen. Small motes of purple-black light fade in and out along the path’s edges, only barely allowing the group to discern the path from the dark surroundings.
The party advances after a reassuring nod from the princess. Purple motes float in and around black twisted trees, and the cold whispering wind chills them to the bone as they find themselves in King Witchthorn’s glade. Hundreds of unseelie fey creatures of all kinds and sizes look upon the dwarf, gnome, aarakocra, and half-orcs with great interest. Sitting upon a throne carved from bone and polished wood is a slender man, twice the height of any mortal. His torso is bare, and thorny spikes protrude from his shoulders and arms. Only a loose wrap of moss covers his lower half, which ends in shadow. His dark and sinister face is devilishly attractive, framed by a mane of green leaves from which curl two large and bestial horns like those of an ancient ram.
His voice is strong, seductive, and cunning: “For what do I own this intrusion? I do not recall offering any gift of passage…” The party begins to explain their plight, but are interrupted by the Fey Lord's disinterest: "Mortals care so very much for the small deeds they accomplish during their short lives." It is only after recognizing the princess that his mood changes a bit: "My love, I have missed you as moss needs the gentle rain." She vouches for the group's worthiness and he relents: "Come now, do you give up so easily when you want something? Where is your passion? I know of the blight upon my lands and I despise it! I may have aided the dragon once, yes, but she has now crossed me too many times! She is cunning and manipulative. She corrupts my glade, my forest!"
After some more back and forth, Lord Witchthorn offers a bargain: “You have done well to come to me, for I can give you the gift of my assistance. Claugiyliamatar is stronger than you can possibly imagine. Her poisonous breath will melt your flesh, her claws rend your bones. If you had an army in the thousands she would still feast upon you all. I can shield you and your allies from her attacks. I can tell you why the Cult of the Dragon is here. And, I can give you a way into the stronghold. All I require is a gift in return. I will need a pledge from one of you. You will be oath bound, that I may call upon you at a later time of my choosing.”
He does not disclose any further details at this point. The group tries to consult with the princess and the treant, though all the walking oak tree has to offer at this moment is its full agreement with the Lord's assessment of the green dragon's strength. The princess, however, shares a bit more: "Many mortals have accepted his oath bond in the past, and he does not always call upon a bound mortal. Some mortals benefit, though there are also many tragic tales." Caah offers nothing but her staunch disapproval of such offer. She clearly does not trust the fey.
(OOC: What shall Dornal, Senetir, Zern and Seranolla do?)
Seranolla cannot blame Caah for her wariness. Being beholden to a fey lord and his whims is not likely to be an entirely pleasant experience. Although Princess Ishaldra is correct. King Witchthorn is just as likely to forget as to require any actual service. Thinking the choice over, she mumbles to herself "If it must be done, then it must be done."
Drawing herself to her full height, Seranolla clears her throat before speaking.
"King Witchthorn offers much. Information on the cult and protection in battles to come. Both useful, incredibly so, dearies. We should give serious consideration to his offer. Moreover, I think I should be the one to offer the oath. I have lived my life in the forest and spent most of it in service to nature. In that the interests of the fey are aligned with mine. I have already lived a great deal and seen much of what the forest can show me. I have spoken with trees older than cities and nurtured families of mice in my own hair..."
Pausing mid flow Seranolla acknowledges the looks of her companions, "It was less disgusting than it sounds... The point is, the feywild is nature untamed. There is much to learn here to interest a druid like me, I wouldn't be short of things to hold my interest. I believe King Witchthorn to be a valuable ally against Claugiyliamatar and the Cult of the Dragon. I also believe that if an oath is to be offered, it should come from me. If it must be done, then I would be the one to do it."
Ever the vision of the even-tempered sort, Senitir took events in stride, and hardly revealed anything less than passiveness even in the face of the Fey Lord's request. If there's anything at all to read from the Owl aaracokra throughout the meeting and after, it is hints of skepticism over the princess words meant to assuage her saviors. But, he remained quiet and thoughtful, waiting for the others to speak for the most part.
"All good points made. And if phat is your choice, you will hear no arguments against it from phis one. One of us, I imagine, is already bound to his Oaths." He gives Zern a sidelong look. "And phe rest are not as suited anyhow for such pacts. However slim phe chances of our being called to service."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Dornal nods his head it agreement.
"It makes sense to me it does."
Dornal bows to King Witchthorn.
"Oh mighty King. I do not have much experience with Dragons. How you describe even a thousand men being defeated by this dragon sends chills up my bones. Is there any way known to defeat such a powerful foe? Any stories from your long life that may be beneficial? I would be most honored to hear them."
Dornal bows once more to signify his questions are complete.
"Thank you very much for your gracious offer, Your Majesty." Zern speaks. "If this dragon is as dangerous as you say it is - and we have we have no such doubts regrading that very subject - your wisdom will be instrumental to protecting this forest."
Extended Signature
The vast fey court surrounding these adventurers listens to their words carefully. Lord Witchthorn nods in acceptance of Seranolla's oath and then turns to Dornal to address his question. Without saying a word, the fey lord waves his hands and the entire party is given a vision. Lord Witchthorn reaches out to their minds, sharing memories of Claugiyliamatar destroying House Brokengulf’s holdings, laying waste to a small kingdom, and tearing apart an army of orcs, all from a safe distance up high in the sky. It is hard to say whether this is the senior or the junior dragon of the same name. Once the visions conclude, the fey lord says to the dwarf: "Find a way to force the dragon to land, and you may have a chance. Nonetheless, you best option is to defeat its allies and hope the dragon doesn't show up."
After some more conversation, the lord says: "One of the gifts I promised was information. I'd assume you are already privy to some of it, judging by the scale of the mission you described. Nonetheless, here's what I have to offer. First, you should know that the Zartruss hobgoblins are deadly archers. Worse still, they also possess at least one siege weapon. Destroying or controlling the siege weapon will be one of the keys to the battle’s outcome. Second, the Cult of the Dragon threatens the Quivering Forest, the Moonsea Region, and the entirety of the Realms. The Cult has come to my forest for an artifact: a powerful mask upon which their plans depend. It is held by Garbul, the Hobgoblin Warlord, though both Alandra, local leader of the new Cult faction, and Ixas, local leader of the old Cult faction, negotiate for it. Third, Claugiyliamatar does not live in the stronghold, but can fly to it quickly if it is attacked."
He pauses to let the group digest the information then continues after a few moments: "Another of the gifts I promised you in exchange for taking my oath was protection. Should the green dragon show up at the battle, you shall feel my protection cover you like a shroud. Finally, the last of the three gifts was a way into the stronghold. I invite you to rest in my court for a few hours, if needed. Once you are done resting and preparing I shall open a portal which will take you into an ancient tower. You must then ascend to reach the battlements and engage the hobgoblins."
(OOC: I'll pause here to give you guys one last chance to interact with Lord Whichthorn and Princess Ishaldra before initiating this party's short rest. Once the rest begins, we'll jump back to CRAP. Go ahead and roll Hit Dice for these folks too, please. When you do, please note that a few of these characters have benefited from some goodberries, so refresh the character sheets to check their updated HP.)